By Edward Makuzva The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the country’s liberation war legacy following a high-level tour of key heritage sites across Angola, Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique by Vice President Col. (Rtd.) Kembo Campbell Dugish Mohadi from 18 August to 6 September 2025. According to the Cabinet, the tour was a strategic initiative to document, honour and safeguard the shared liberation history of Zimbabwe and its regional allies. It also formed part of broader efforts to reinforce cultural diplomacy, deepen bilateral ties and promote regional integration. Preserving the Liberation Legacy The regional tour highlighted the historical, cultural and political importance of the sites where thousands of Zimbabwean freedom fighters received ideological and military training during the liberation struggle. The visit provided an opportunity to assess the condition of the sites, identify preservation gaps and craft policies to ensure their continued relevance for future generations. Vice President Mohadi’s itinerary included stops at some of the most significant training camps, among them the Bagamoyo Freedom Fighters Training Camp in Tanzania. Operational from 1963 to 1975, Bagamoyo was a pivotal facility that hosted and trained prominent figures of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, including President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, the late Chief of Defence Cde. Josiah Tongogara, the late ZANU PF National Chairman, Cde. Herbert Chitepo, the late Gen. (Rtd.) Solomon Mujuru (alias Rex Nhongo), and the late first Commander of the Defence Forces, Gen. (Rtd.) Vitalis Zvinavashe (alias Sheba Gava). Mgagao and Nachingwea CampsAnother stop was at the historic Mgagao Freedom Fighters Training Camp in Tanzania, which played an instrumental role in shaping the liberation struggle. Mgagao provided critical military and ideological training to cadres, among them Vice President Gen. (Rtd.) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga, and the current Commander Defence Forces, Gen. Philip Valerio Sibanda. The Vice President also toured Nachingwea Training Camp, which trained an estimated 15,000 freedom fighters in three batches across five regiments. Among the groups were the Songamberi (Push Forward) batch of 1976 and the Fanyaharaka (Do It Quickly) batch of 1978, symbols of the intense drive to liberate Zimbabwe. Recommendations and Next Steps The tour culminated in a set of far-reaching recommendations aimed at strengthening the preservation and promotion of Zimbabwe’s liberation heritage. These include: Establishment of a Joint Liberation Heritage Commission with regional partners.Infrastructure upgrades at key heritage sites to improve accessibility and preservation. Integration of liberation history into Education 5.0 to deepen inter-generational knowledge transfer. Development of tourism linkages to position liberation heritage sites as key attractions. Oral history projects to capture the testimonies of surviving liberation war veterans. A Shared Regional Legacy Cabinet underscored that the tour not only celebrated the sacrifices of Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters but also strengthened ties with the host nations, whose solidarity during the liberation struggle remains an enduring bond. The initiative, they noted, aligns with the Second Republic’s drive to promote Pan-Africanism, national pride and unity of purpose. It is expected to pave the way for more coordinated heritage projects, research and cultural exchanges in the region. Post navigation Tsungai Tsikirai Shines at Doek and Slay UK, Celebrates African Heritage